Great description. The reason the zebra could get back up is probably because the lioness swung around and seized its windpipe. Lions routinely finish off their prey by blocking off their air supply, so they are often seen actually underneath standing or crouching prey holding their throats. In other words, this is a textbook lion kill, probably by an expert hunter. If it seems cruel, it is in fact a rather merciful method when you see what some other predators (hyenas, wolves, wild dogs) do.

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